"Heath Bell expects to be traded by Sunday, baseball's non-waiver trade deadline.

"Because it's been talked about so much," he said. "Usually when a team isn't doing particularly well and you're going to free agency and you make a lot of money, they're looking to dump salary."

Bell said Sunday he thinks the Padres will trade him so that they'll receive the known quantity of at least one minor-league prospect rather than lose him in free agency, which would bring two draft picks.

If traded, Bell said his preference, in order, would be: a) to be dealt to a contender; b) traded to a National League team; c) traded to the Diamondbacks or Angels because they're close to San Diego.

He said the teams he hears that are most interested in him are the Phillies, Texas and St. Louis.

Bell said he doesn't want to list a specific contender he would like to be dealt to because it might negatively impact General Manager Jed Hoyer's bargaining position."